For both active military and veterans, Utah state parks will offer free entrance to all 42 state parks on Saturday, August 15 for Military Appreciation Day. All 42 state parks will also have special activities or displays for the day to pay tribute to active military and veterans for their service.

Anasazi State Park: Boulder – Flag decorations throughout the park. 435-335-7308

Antelope Island State Park: Syracuse – Flag raising ceremony (9 AM) at the Ranger Memorial. Hot dog lunch at the visitor center, naturalist-lead hikes and all military personnel receive a 10% discount at the gift shop. 801-773-2941

Bear Lake State Park: Garden City – Flag raising ceremony (8 AM) followed by pancake breakfast. Recognize and honor local veterans and military members and then retire an old US flag (10 AM). Park concession Bear Lake Fun Times is offering 5% off rentals to all military members and veterans. 435-946-3343

Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum: Fairfield – Personalized tour of the museum with stories of Camp Floyd and the part it plays in Utah and U.S. history. 801-768-8932

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: Kanab – Pancake breakfast prepared and served by park staff (7 to 10 AM) 435-648-2800

Dead Horse Point State Park: Moab – Outdoor art contest to display the artwork from children of all ages featuring any aspect of patriotism or how they recognize and honor veterans and active duty military. Vote for your favorite pieces, receive a yellow ribbon pin at the visitors center. 435-259-2614

Deer Creek State Park:Heber – Overnight group campout in the Wallsburg Group Area. Movie Hotel Transylvania under the stars with free popcorn (8:30 PM). Receive 50% off food at the Deer Creek Island Resort restaurant and High County Rafting is offering a 50% discount on rafting trips for veterans for the rest of the summer. 435-654-0171

East Canyon State Park: Morgan – Flag ceremony, barbeque, military equipment on display and free use of non-motorized recreation equipment (11 AM to 4 PM) Specialized recreation equipment will be available to those veterans with disabilities. 801-829-6866

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum: Blanding – Behind the scenes in the museum tour to see where artifacts are stored or prepared for display (10 AM to 12 PM). Please RSVP to reserve spot. 435-678-2238

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park: Escalante – Potluck barbecue (12 PM to 1 PM). The park will provide cold drinks and a large grill for anyone wanted to grill. 435-826-4466

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum: Sevier – Flag ceremony (9 AM) by the American Legion, a gun salute taps and singing of nation anthem. Continental breakfast until 10 AM. Tours of the park and guided ATV tours. ATV tour limited to 20 participants and RSVP is required. 435-527-4631

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum: Cedar City – Learn the story of the Mormon Battalion with hands-on activities include learning close order drills, frontier army games, signaling and secret coding and how to use ink and quill (10 AM. to 3 PM). The museum cannon will be fired every hour. 435-586-9290

Goblin Valley State Park: Green River – Disc golf course tournament beginning at 9 AM. 435-275-4584

Great Salt Lake State Park: Salt Lake City – 50% off all kayak, paddle board and paddle boat rentals. Free barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs (12 PM). 801-250-1898

Green River State Park: Green River – Play nine-holes of golf along the banks of the Green River beginning at 9 AM. Cart rental fees not included. 435-564-3633

Gunlock State Park: Gunlock – Flag raising ceremony (9 AM). 435-680-0715

Huntington State Park: Huntington – Entrance will be lined with flags. 435-687-2491

Hyrum State Park: Hyrum – Flag ceremony in the morning. Free one-hour canoe rentals and chance to win a free night stay in one of the park’s cabins. 435-245-6866

Jordanelle State Park: Heber – 5K run beginning at 7:30 AM. All proceeds will go to the National Ability Center’s Veteran and Military Programs. Along the course, runners will pick up flags representing each of the major wars: WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the War on Terror. All 5K runners will receive participation medals and race shirts. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers according to age categories as well as for overall race awards. A pancake breakfast for an additional fee to benefit the NAC military programs. $3/person. 435-649-9540

Kodachrome Basin State Park: Cannonville – Hot dogs and drinks lunch (10 AM to 4 PM). 435-679-8562

Millsite State Park: Ferron – Boat rides on Millsite Reservoir (10 AM to 12 PM). 435-384-2552

Otter Creek State Park: Antimony – Flags will be displayed from each military branch as you arrive at the park. 435-624-3268

Palisade State Park: Sterling – Flag raising ceremony (8 AM). Free 5k run/walk (9 AM). Free golf and 30-minute lessons, paddle boats, canoes and paddle boards. Hot dog lunch for the first 100 people (12 PM). 435-835-6676

Piute State Park: Marysvale – Flags will be displayed from each military branch as you arrive at the park. 435-624-3268

Quail Creek State Park: Hurricane – Free one-hour paddleboard rentals. There will also be drawings and prizes throughout the day. 435-879-2378

Red Fleet State Park: Vernal – Sandstone ships and a row of American flags greet military members as they arrive in the park. 435-789-4432

Rockport State Park: Peoa – Candlelight vigil honoring the 6,851 service men and women who lost their lives during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. All visitors will receive a paper bag filled with sand and a candle. At dusk all campers will light their candle and place the bags along the campground roadways. When all bags are lit and it gets dark, lights will be turned off and a moment of silence will be observed. 435-336-2241

Sand Hollow State Park: Hurricane – Join Dixie Divers (9 AM), for the Ultimate Diver Challenge. 435-680-0715

Scofield State Park: Price – Free hamburgers and hot dog dinner (5 PM) in the Mountain View campground. Flag honor program (7 PM). All veterans receive free camping for the night (space is limited) . 435-448-9449

Snow Canyon State Park: Ivins – Pre-dawn stargazing event (5:45 AM) Bring a pillow or blanket to sit on and dress for the weather. Please call the park to register. 435-628-2255

Starvation State Park: Duchesne – Archery contest on our 3D course beginning at 9 AM. 435-738-2326

Steinaker State Park: Vernal – Flag raising ceremony, followed by a light breakfast beginning at 9 AM. 435-789-4432

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum: Fillmore – Museum collection of items from the war of 1812. 435-743-5316

Utah Field House State Park Museum: Vernal – Tour the new lab facility where fossils and other specimens are prepared for display plus see the various collections stored in the museum. Tours and refreshments are offered all day. 435-789-3799

Utah Lake State Park: Provo – Campfire and s’mores on the beach (6 PM to 10 PM) Free paddle board rentals. 801-375-0731

Wasatch Mountain State Park: Midway – Free fishing pole rentals and GPS rentals. Hikes to Huber Grove, birds of prey meet and greet, free cake and ice cream, free snow cones; Wasatch Golf Course $5 pulled pork sandwich with fries and a drink, 2 free golf clinics; Solider Hollow-18 holes with a cart $38 and 50% off breakfast and lunch

Willard Bay State Park: Willard – Hot dog eating contest with prizes (12 PM). Music and entertainment by Cowboy Ted. Food vendors with discounts for veterans

Yuba State Park: Levan – Free pancake and sausage breakfast (8 AM to 10 AM) for all military personnel - $2 per plate for non-military members - in the Oasis Campground. Flag ceremony prior to serving breakfast. 435-758-2611